Posts Tagged ‘lunestra’

PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome), PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) and Marijuana (Cannabis): An alternative treatment

Posted By Dr. Sean Breen on April 26th, 2010

As medical director for Medical Cannabis of Southern California I often evaluate women who suffer from pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS).  They often complain of headache, pelvic pain, breast pain, difficulty sleeping, bloating, irritability, anxiety, depression and an inability to concentrate.   Typically the standard treatment that their doctors prescribe do not work well enough and they would like to try cannabis.   I have seen amazing results with women who vaporize cannabis to treat their PMS.

Standard treatment for many of these women are SSRI’s (anti-depressants) to treat any of their mood symptoms (irritability, depression and anxiety), high dose NSAIDS (naprosyn/motrin) for pain, spirinolactone for edema, ambien for sleeping difficulties and occasionally other no pharmaceutical therapies (Calcium and Magnesium Supplements)  The problem is that these treatment modalities come with many unwanted side effects…. and/or do not provide adequate relief.   SSRI’s can cause apathy and affect patients sex drive.  NSAIDS can cause dangerous gastro-intestinal bleeding, ambien can be addicting and often makes patients extremely groggy upon awakening and spirinolactone can cause electrolyte disturbances.

Studies have shown that up to 75% of women suffer from PMS/PMDD on some level.  That is an enormous amount of people that are taking a lot of different medications that are not only ineffective but can be very dangerous if taken regularly.

Once patients understand how cannabis works in the body they are much more comfortable trying it for their PMS symptoms.  Cannabis can be extremely relaxing, elevate patients moods and assist with sleep.  (good bye SSRI and Ambien).  It is amazing at relieving pelvic pain and headaches (good bye NSAIDS) and can increase a patients libido.

What I tell my patients is that it is definitely worth giving it a try.  If it works…GREAT!  If not…. simply don’t use it.   In the meantime it is not going to damage your liver, kidneys or cause GI bleeding.  You can not overdose on it and there is an extremely low potential for physical or psychological addiction.

Lastly, you can easily avoid smoking it by using a vaporizer which allows you to inhale the medicine SMOKE FREE!

If you suffer from PMS/PMDD and would like to discuss using cannabis to treat your symptoms feel free to give us a call at 877-721-0047.  Or you can simply pre-qualify for FREE at www.mcsocal.com

Be blessed,

Dr. Breen


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Can’t sleep? Economy, Family, Health

Posted By Dr. Sean Breen on March 25th, 2010

As medical director for medical cannabis of southern california I am amazed at the amount of patients who have difficulty falling asleep or wake up throughout the night.   One of my 10 commandments when it comes to perfect health is “Thou shall get sleep.  As your sleep goes so does your health.” You can eat perfectly and exercise all day but if you are getting adequate rest you will be prone to illness mostly secondary to a compromised immune system.

On a very basic level all of cells require glucose (nutrition) oxygen and a method of removing waste (lymphatic system).   Our body rests, cleanses and rejuvinates when we get sound sleep.

I won’t go into detail of the various stages of sleep and the brain waves that we can measure.  But what I will do is make it very simple and break this down BARNEY STYLE.

CANNABIS HELPS YOU FALL ASLEEP, STAY ASLEEP AND WAKE UP FEELING RESTED.

Unlike many sleeping aids such as Ambien (which is similar to a benzodiazepene ie. valium) which makes patients feel extremely groggy and tired the next morning, cannabis generally has little to no associated morning grogginess.

I can not tell you how many patients are using cannabis to treat acute and chronic insomnia!  I am glad that I can help improve the quality of their lives!

If you would like to find out if cannabis can improve the quality of your life please feel free to call my staff at 877-721-0047 and schedule an appointment to come to my Irvine or Long Beach office.

Respectfully,

Dr. Sean Breen

mcsocal@me.com

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Alternative treatment for perimenopause; Marijuana (Cannabis)

Posted By Dr. Sean Breen on October 15th, 2009

As medical director for Medical Cannabis of Southern California I frequently evaluate women who suffer from the symptoms of perimenopause.   Fortunately cannabis can be a great alternative treatment for many of the symptoms women experience during this time.    As women age they begin to experience hormonal changes which is the bodies natural result of transitioning from a fertile child bearing state to the end of her reproductive years.   This period of time leading up to menopause is called perimenopause.  The onset of perimenopause typically occurs around 40 years of age but can happen sooner or later depending on that womens specific genetics and physiology.  Symptoms are a result of fluctuating levels of estrogen and ultimately LH and FSH(luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone).

The typical symptoms that my patients complain of are insomnia (or a break from their normal sleeping patterns), irritability, headaches, nightsweats, hot flashes, decrease libido, vaginal dryness and overall emotional instability.   When many of these patients visit their primary care physicians they are offered a myriad of drugs to treat these symptoms.  For there headaches they are told to take NSAIDS such as motrin.  For there difficulty sleeping they are given drugs like ambien and lunestra.  For their emotional instability they are prescribed anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs such as lexapro and xanax.     In the end they are left with 4 or 5 different medications to take that have their own set of side effects that patients have to deal with.   Most of my patients get fed up and are “tired of taking so many pills.”  They are looking for a more natural approach to treat their symptoms.

The great news is that cannabis can alleviate many of the symptoms that perimenopausal women experience.   It is a great sedative and helps patients sleep through the night.  It can relieve the pain associated with headaches.   In addition, it functions as an anxiolytic and helps relax and calm patients after a long day.    Lastly, many strains of cannabis can increase a patients libido and enhance their sexual experiences with their partners.   The advantage I believe that cannabis has over many of these drugs is that the medically active ingredients found in the plant (collectively called cannabinoids) have few intolerable side effects.   Once they enter the bloodstream they bind to receptors throughout our nervous and immune systems and produce their physiological effects.   Within minutes patients feel relaxed and euphoric.  Many times the pain subsides immediately.    Because there has not been one documented overdose from cannabis use it is very safe and patients don’t have to worry about using too much.   I tell all of my patients that it is definitely worth a try.  ”if it helps and improves your quality of life, then great!  If not, simply stop using it.” The good news is that it is not toxic to any of your major organ systems and is not chemically addicting.   So there is little risk in giving it a try.

If you are worried about having to smoke it please see my website and read about the benefits of vaporizing cannabis (smoke free!).   If you would like more information please visit my website at www.MCSoCal.com or call 877-721-0047 and schedule an appointment.  You can also pre-qualify for free online from the comfort of your own home.   We have office locations in Long Beach, Irvine and Encinitas (San Diego)

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Alternative Treatment for Insomnia: Marijuana

Posted By Dr. Sean Breen on September 18th, 2009

As medical director for Medical Cannabis of Southern California I evaluate patients with difficulty sleeping all the time.   Their complaints many times have one of two characteristics; difficulty falling asleep or frequent awakenings without the ability to fall back asleep.   Typically they have been to their primary care physicians who prescribe drugs such as Ambien or Lunestra.   Other times if anxiety or stress is the cause for their insomnia they are given benzodiazepines such as Xanax or Valium to help them sleep.  Trazadone is another common medication prescribed for sleep.   The common theme that I hear regarding these medications is that, although they help patients fall and stay asleep, they feel completely groggy and tired the following day.  This then makes them less motivated and productive at work and also affects their relationships.  The other issue is the side effects of many of these drugs.  For example, benzodiazapenes can be highly addictive and often patients develop a tolerance and dependence.  I always discuss with patients that you have to weight the benefits and risks of any treatment a doctor recommends.

Cannabis (marijuana) is an extremely effective sleep aid.   It’s advantages is that patients will get a restful sleep and not wake up feeling groggy.   It is not toxic to any of the major organ systems and has very few side effects.   Patients can simply vaporize*** a small amount 10-30 minutes before lying down.   Usually within 10-15 minutes they will be enough sedation to fall asleep adequately.  As far as a particular strain, cannabis falls into two general categories, indicas and sativas.   Indica strains tend to be better for sleep because they have a lower concentration of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are more of a sedative.  They are not going to produce the intense head high that many sativa strains can cause.   Indicas tend to be more of a “body high”.   They are also great for chronic pain.  Many of our pain patients who can not fall asleep as a result of not being to get in a comfortable position do really well with indicas.

If you would like to be evaluated by a physician to see if you may benefit from using cannabis please feel free to visit our website at www.MCSoCal.com and pre-qualify for free.   Dr. Sean Breen is medical director for Medical Cannabis of Southern California and treats patients at his three offices in Long Beach, Irvine and Encinitas.

***Vaporizers allow patients to inhale the medication without having to smoke it.  It is the preferable way to medicate for ALL patients.  For more info visit www.MCSoCal.com

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